5: The Latest News
The rest of the day passed uneventfully, and so did the day after that. But Wednesday the 9th of September proved far more interesting than Lisa had imagined.
She came down to breakfast in the dining room as usual, and sat opposite her mother. Her father was sitting at the end of the dining room table, reading today's copy of The Raccoon Times, and something in the headline caught Lisa's eye.
"What the - ? she exclaimed and, snatching the newspaper from her father's unresisting hands, began to read.
COUPLE "EATEN ALIVE", SAY RPD
Reported by Donna Rothes
A couple found dead in Raccoon Park were "eaten alive", according to police. Their bodies were discovered in undergrowth yesterday by a man walking his dog. Police and paramedics were immediately called to the scene and the couple were brought straight to Raccoon City General Hospital, but both victims were pronounced dead on arrival.
The bodies were later identified as those of newlyweds Josef and Susan Leidermann (28). It is not known whether they were attacked in the park or whether they were killed elsewhere and their bodies dumped later.
While examining the bodies, a forensic scientist from the Raccoon Police Department discovered several wounds on the necks of the couple, which closely resembled bite-marks. Traces of saliva were also found on their clothing.
"They looked as though they'd been eaten alive," he said.
No other signs of injury were found. DNA tests have so far proved inconclusive, although in a press conference earlier today a spokesman for the RPD revealed that the DNA samples were of human origin.
"We can neither confirm nor deny rumours of cannibalism, but it appears that the couple were bitten in the neck repeatedly until they died, and that saliva found near the wounds has been identified as human DNA, not animal. We advise members of the public to be on their guard while in the area, and to report anything unusual or suspicious to the police."
A local woman reported seeing a tall, dark-haired man of medium build skulking in the area, not long before the bodies were discovered.
"He looked drunk or something," said Beatrice Wrigley (42) to our reporters yesterday. "He was lurching round all over the place. I think he might have some sort of skin disease, too, because he kept scratching himself and groaning the whole time."
Police are still searching for this man, although they refused to say whether he is a possible eyewitness or a key suspect in the case - which is being described by locals as "the cannibal couple case" - and they are urging him to come forward as soon as possible. They have also asked the public to stay alert and to inform them at once if they spot the man in question.
Readers, if you see or think you've seen this man, you should call the police hotline immediately on 555-439-2677 (555-HEY-COPS).
"That's terrible!" exclaimed Lisa. "Who'd do something like that?"
"Who knows?" said her father. "There are a lot of strange people in the world. Are you done with the paper, honey?"
Lisa handed the newspaper back without a word.
"I can't believe Beatrice Wrigley actually saw something," said Lisa's mother, taking a large bite out of a piece of toast. "Do you think that guy's a suspect or a witness?"
"No idea," said Lisa's father. "But I bet Beatrice will be boring Lisa to death with it for hours tonight."
"How long will you and Mom be gone tonight, Dad?" Lisa asked.
"Probably until eleven," her father replied, and Lisa's face fell. "Things have been pretty hectic at work lately, and our new project's been taking up a lot of our time."
"Yes," said Lisa quietly. "It has, hasn't it?"
She finished off her breakfast, and then got to her feet.
"Well, I'd better get to school. Bye Mom, Dad! See you tonight."
"Have a good day, sweetheart," her father called, as Lisa left the house.
----------
At Raccoon City High School the latest news was being discussed out loud and at length, whispered nervously about, spoken of in hushed voices, debated earnestly and furiously. The tale was expanded, enhanced and exaggerated wildly with every telling; it mutated like a virus, and spread like a cancer until it all but engulfed normal conversation. Even people not inclined to gossip were talking about it.
"It's awful," said Lisa. "Really awful. There was a picture of them in the paper, before it happened. They both looked so young, so happy, so alive – and now they're both dead. Gone forever."
"Eaten," said Jack thoughtfully. "Unusual way to go, huh? It ain't pretty either. I just be glad it weren't me."
"Same here," Lisa agreed. "I hope they catch whoever did it. I have a bad feeling that it's going to happen again."
"Yeah," said Jack. "So do I. Hey, me an' the Street Rats get a challenge from the Sk8boarders yesterday – we gonna skate it out, see who be best. You wanna come, or you still grounded?"
"Grounded," said Lisa, with a sigh. "Until the end of the week."
"Too bad," said Jack. "Looks like it gonna be a good one. Well, no matter. Hope you neighbour dunt drive you loco tonight."
"Not much chance of that. She was the one who saw that guy the police are looking for," said Lisa gloomily. "She'll be talking about it all night."
----------
Lisa's assumption proved to be correct: Beatrice spent a large part of the night telling her charge all about the man she saw, down to the very smallest and most insignificant details.
Another thing Lisa noticed was that Beatrice kept eating all the time. Cereal bars, potato chips, chocolate, sandwiches, fruit – anything that she could chew on.
"So this guy just kind of lurches off, swaying this way and that," said Beatrice, taking a very melodramatic bite out of an apple and chewing furiously. "I reckon he did it, you know."
She scratched her shoulder absent-mindedly, and carried on.
"I could tell. He looked suspicious," she continued. "Anyone looking that suspicious usually has something to hide. Some sort of feud or horrible secret, I expect. Maybe Susan was an old girlfriend and he got jealous of her husband."
"Maybe," said Lisa, who was anything but convinced. In any case, she wasn't concerned; she was more interested in watching the local news bulletins on television.
"Demand for exterminators in Raccoon City has risen sharply in the past few days due to a sudden and increasingly widespread rat problem," said the newsreader solemnly. "Local pest control companies are fully booked for the next seventeen days, and - "
"Oh, yeah, we've got a major rat infestation," said Beatrice suddenly. She tossed her apple core into the wastepaper basket and reached for another apple. "They seem to be everywhere at the moment. Although I didn't know anyone else was having trouble with rats too. You know, I actually got bitten by one yesterday? My husband Rodney had to drive me into the hospital to get me checked out, because rats have, like, rabies or something, don't they? The doctor said I should be okay, I've had the shots, and they cleaned the wound and bandaged it and everything, but he told me to come back if I had any more problems. And - "
On the television, the newsreader was handed a piece of paper, which he read quickly, and he frowned.
"This just in," he said. "Amateur photographer Eric Strattle has just been admitted to Raccoon City General Hospital with severe wounds in the neck and shoulders. He claims to have been attacked by crows while taking photographs for the latest edition of the Raccoon City Guide. Here's our correspondent in Raccoon City, Elspeth Lombard."
"Thank you, Bob," said the correspondent smoothly. "Well, I'm standing here in the ward of Raccoon City General Hospital, and just behind me is Eric Strattle with his wife Bridget and brother Claude. He claims to have been attacked by a flock of crows just outside Raccoon City Hall. Unlikely though it may seem, the story has been verified by his wife and brother, who were also present, and doctors agree that the wounds correspond to the account. Mr Strattle, would you care to tell our viewers what happened?"
"Sure," said the patient weakly. "Well, I was outside the city hall with my wife and brother, taking pictures for the new City Guide, when all of a sudden these crows just swoop down out of nowhere and start attacking me! They pecked me all over my neck and shoulders, they wouldn't stop! Claude started shooting at them to try and get them off me, and my wife went to call 911. Then the ambulance arrived, and – well, here I am."
"Any comment from you, Mrs Strattle?"
"All I can say is it's lucky the ambulance arrived when it did. I don't think he could have taken any more. The doctors were horrified when they brought him in," said the patient's wife. "They said he'll be in here for quite some time."
"What about the patient's brother? Do you have anything to say, sir?"
"I've never seen anything like it. It was like something out of that Hitchcock film, The Birds – they were all over him, pecking and flapping and squawking like mad, I had to shoot some of them to get them off him!" said the patient's brother.
"Thank you very much, Mr and Mrs Strattle, and Mr Strattle. I'm sure all our viewers are wishing you a speedy recovery," said the correspondent. "Back to you, Bob."
"Thank you, Elspeth," said the newsreader. "In other news, the President announced today that - "
Lisa heard the front door open, and her parents came inside. They were speaking with raised voices, and they seemed to be arguing about something.
"… What are we going to do about it? If this gets out - "
"And what if it doesn't? They said they'll have it under control by tomorrow."
"I don't think they will, somehow."
"Oh ye of little faith! Listen, they'll sort it out. Really. They're good at stuff like this. Remember what happened in LA?"
"No. What happened?"
"Exactly. They fixed the problem. Everything will be fine."
"I'd feel happier getting out of town, Jonathan."
"Well, we can't go now. We've got orders, remember?"
"You're right. We can't go. But I still want to."
"For the last time, Elizabeth, there is no - "
The argument stopped instantly as Lisa went into the hall.
"Hi Mom, hi Dad," she said, hugging them both. "How was work?"
"Lousy," her mother snapped, pushing her away and heading towards the kitchen. "You want something to eat, Jon?"
"Good idea," Lisa's father called, and he followed his wife, leaving Lisa standing alone in the hall, feeling unwanted and unloved. Even though her parents weren't the most affectionate people in the world, they'd never pushed her away before.
Biting her lip, Lisa went upstairs and shut herself in her bedroom. She was vaguely aware of voices below – her mother's and Beatrice's voices, and then the slam of the front door – but she didn't care.
It was at times like these that she thought of Jack, who cared so much and was always there for her when she needed him.
"Wish you were here, Jack," she murmured to herself. "I miss you."